| Abstract | The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in raw wastewaters has been demonstrated in many countries affected by this pandemic. Nevertheless, virus presence and infectivity in treated wastewaters, but also in the receiving water bodies are still poorly investigated. In this study, raw and treated samples from three wastewater treatment plants, and three river samples within the Milano Metropolitan Area, Italy, were surveyed for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection by means of real time RT-PCR and infectivity test on culture cells. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in raw, but not in treated wastewaters (four and two samples, respectively, sampled in two dates). The isolated virus genome was sequenced, and belonged to the strain most spread in Europe and similar to another found in the same region. RNA presence in raw wastewater samples decreased after eight days, probably following the epidemiological trend estimated for the area. Virus infectivity was always null, indicating the natural decay of viral pathogenicity in time from emission. Samples from receiving rivers (three sites, sampled in the same dates as wastewaters) showed in some cases a positivity to real time RT-PCR, probably due to non-treated, or inefficiently treated discharges, or to the combined sewage overflows. Nevertheless, also for rivers infectivity was null. Risks for public health should be limited, although a precautionary approach to risk assessment is here advocated, giving the preliminary nature of the presented data. |
| Text | 428862 2020 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140911 Scopus 2 s2.0 85088087371 sars cov 2 wastewater river Presence and infectivity of SARS CoV 2 virus in wastewaters and rivers Rimoldi S.G.; Stefani F.; Gigantiello A.; Polesello S.; Comandatore F.; Mileto D.; Maresca M.; Longobardi C.; Mancon A.; Romeri F.; Pagani C.; Cappelli F.; Roscioli C.; Moja L.; Gismondo M.R.; Salerno F. University Hospital L. Sacco , ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, University Hospital L. Sacco , ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy, , Italy; Water Research Institute National Research Council IRSA CNR , Brugherio, MB, Water Research Institute National Research Council IRSA CNR , Brugherio MB , Italy, , Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milan, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milan, Italy, , , Italy; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milan, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences L. Sacco, University of Milan, Italy, , , Italy; Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, Como, 22100, Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, Italy, , Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Italy, , Italy The presence of SARS CoV 2 in raw wastewaters has been demonstrated in many countries affected by this pandemic. Nevertheless, virus presence and infectivity in treated wastewaters, but also in the receiving water bodies are still poorly investigated. In this study, raw and treated samples from three wastewater treatment plants, and three river samples within the Milano Metropolitan Area, Italy, were surveyed for SARS CoV 2 RNA detection by means of real time RT PCR and infectivity test on culture cells. SARS CoV 2 RNA was detected in raw, but not in treated wastewaters four and two samples, respectively, sampled in two dates . The isolated virus genome was sequenced, and belonged to the strain most spread in Europe and similar to another found in the same region. RNA presence in raw wastewater samples decreased after eight days, probably following the epidemiological trend estimated for the area. Virus infectivity was always null, indicating the natural decay of viral pathogenicity in time from emission. Samples from receiving rivers three sites, sampled in the same dates as wastewaters showed in some cases a positivity to real time RT PCR, probably due to non treated, or inefficiently treated discharges, or to the combined sewage overflows. Nevertheless, also for rivers infectivity was null. Risks for public health should be limited, although a precautionary approach to risk assessment is here advocated, giving the preliminary nature of the presented data. 744 Published version http //www.scopus.com/record/display.url eid=2 s2.0 85088087371 origin=inward Articolo in rivista Elsevier 0048 9697 Science of the total environment Science of the total environment Sci. total environ. CAPPELLI FRANCESCA stefano.polesello POLESELLO STEFANO claudiogiovanni.roscioli ROSCIOLI CLAUDIO GIOVANNI franco.salerno SALERNO FRANCO fabrizio.stefani STEFANI FABRIZIO |
